Three types of skin cancer:

1. Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Develops in the stratum basale and extends into the epiderms
• Least likely to spread into the dermis
• Symptoms:

• A pearly or waxy bump
• A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion

skin cancer face

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Develops in the stratum spinosum and extends up through the epidermis, but can still extend down into the dermis and metastasize
• Symptoms:

• A firm, red nodule
• A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface





3. Melanoma

• Develops in the melanocytes, which borders the dermis
• Can spread down into the dermis and metastacize or spread up through the kerotinocytes of the stratum basale and the stratum spinosum in the epidermis
• Symptoms:

- A large brownish spot with darker speckles
- A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
- A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black

• Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer because it grows into the dermis faster and metastasizes faster than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer.


Statistics

• One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer; an estimated 2.8 million BCCs are diagnosed annually in the US. BCCs are rarely fatal, but can be highly disfiguring if allowed to grow.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. An estimated 700,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the US, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths.
• Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two major forms of non-melanoma skin cancer. Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either skin cancer at least once
• The incidence of many common cancers is falling, but the incidence of melanoma continues to rise significantly, at a rate faster than that of any of the seven most common cancers.
• Melanoma accounts for about three percent of skin cancer cases, but it causes more than 75 percent of skin cancer deaths. 
• More than 20 Americans die each day from skin cancer, primarily melanoma
• Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old

Risk Factors

• Fair skin
• A history of sunburns
• Family history of skin cancer
• Excessive exposure to sun without protection/Tanning
• Moles
• Increasing Age

Skin cancer can be prevented by taking steps to decrease exposure to dangerous UV rays, such as:

• Wearing protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen when in the sun for long periods of time, and applying it frequently
• Don't use tanning booths
• Stay in shady areas during the midday hours when the sun's rays are brightest